IICF Raises $1.14M at Benefit Dinner Honoring Markel Corp.

* The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF), the insurance industry's nonprofit organization dedicated to charity, raised $1.14 million at its 13th Annual Northeast Benefit Dinner, held in mid December in New York City. The event gathered more than 700 insurance professionals for an evening of networking and philanthropy designed to "give back" to the community by supporting nonprofits that serve the New York tri-state region. More than $9 million has been granted to local nonprofit and charitable organizations since 2007.

"The insurance industry has touched thousands of lives through the IICF grant program that is supported by this annual Northeast dinner," said Betsy Myatt, Executive Director of the IICF Northeast Division and Vice President, Chief Program Officer. "The dinner has become a holiday tradition and is truly a celebration of the work of the industry every day of the year - and of the generosity that is so well-illustrated by this event where everyone is pulling together through IICF for the greater good of our communities."

The benefit dinner featured two celebrity speakers, U.S. Women's Soccer Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Mia Hamm and 60 Minutes correspondent John Dickerson. Both Hamm and Dickerson shared how charitable giving and philanthropic efforts have shaped their respective lives and noted that giving back should be a core priority for all leaders. Hamm received a grant to support the Mia Hamm Foundation, a nonprofit that raises funds for those in need of marrow or cord blood transplants and supports athletic programs for young women. Dickerson accepted a grant on behalf of Covenant House, an organization that provides housing, support and educational services for homeless youth.

As part of the event's festivities, IICF awarded its prestigious "Double I" Award to Markel Corporation. This annual award recognizes an organization that has served as a philanthropic leader through its "influence" in the insurance industry and "impact" in the community. Anthony F. Markel, Vice Chairman of Markel, accepted the award on behalf of the company. Anthony Markel has an extensive history of personal and professional philanthropy, including his leadership of the City of Hope's Power of Hope campaign, for which $1 billion was raised to fight cancer.

"At Markel, we have a role as corporate citizens to support our communities," said Anthony Markel. "From top to bottom, we believe that all successful companies have a...